Method and apparatus for testing and treating liquids



29, 1966 H. L. ABERCROMBIE, JR 3,287,960

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TESTING AND TREATING LIQUIDS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Oct. 22, 1963 F1432 flas 0 G G 6 W 3 w r r b V V Vw O W 3 u 2 m wm a V 3 2 r V P- u m 9 J l 5 a 4 3 3 3 3 l 2 8 1| O 2 v 4 u 3 f T m n Vnlqvlll 1 4 Nov. 29, 1966 H. L. ABERCROMBIE, JR 3,287,960

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TESTING AND TREATING LIQUIDS Filed Oct. 22,1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 lllb 1966 H. ABERCROMBIE, JR 3,

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TESTING AND TREATING LIQUIDS Filed Oct. 22,1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 3lOc| 3070 [PEG 3 United States Patent 3,287,960METHOD AND APPARATUS FGR TESTING AND TREATING LIQUIDS Hinemon L.Abercrombie, J12, Citronelle, Ala., assignor to Mobil Oil Corporation, acorporation of New York Filed Oct. 22, 1963, Ser. No. 318,083 13'Claims. (Cl. 7353) This invention relates to the handling, testing, andtreating of fluids. More particularly, the invention relates to theconservation of energy added to power fluids used in fluid-actuatedpumping systems and the testing and treating of these fluids forcharacteristics thereof harmful to such systems.

It is a conventional practice to pump fluids by means of fluid-actuatedpumping systems. For example, in the petroleum industry oil is producedfrom wells of great depths by hydraulic pumping systems in which poweroil is supplied under pressure from power units, e.g., triplex pumps,through transmission tubings to hydraulically actuated pumps in thewells. The power oil is returned to the surface along with the wellfluids through produc tion tubings and a portion of the oil produced isused as power oil for further operation of the hydraulic pumps while theremainder is sold to the pipeline. The power oil is stored in power-oiltanks until needed. However, certain characteristics of the oil such aswater and sand content may prove harmful to the pumping system. Forexample, water will result in corrosion of the transmission andproduction tubings and sand and other abrasives such as scale depositsmay cause excess wear and stoppage of the downhole pump itself.Therefore, the power oil is treated to remove these impurities before itis stored. However, despite such precautions, the power oil may stillpossess one or more of the above-described or other undesirablecharacteristics at the time it is taken from a power-oil tank for use ina hydraulic pumping system. In accordance with one object of thisinvention, fluids stored in a plurality of containers, particularlyfluids to be used in fluid-actuated pumping systems, are systematicallytested for at least one predetermined characteristic and also treatedwith respect to that characteristic.

In spite of the preventive measures employed, malfunction of a pumpingsystem may occur and result in the development of abnormally high anddangerous pressures at the output of the power unit. In the past it hasbeen the practice to discharge this pressure to the atmosphere, thuslosing the energy added to the power fluid. In accordance with anotherobject of thi invention, this energy is conserved by utilizing it inanother pumping system.

It also is desirable to monitor the output of a pumping system in orderto gain in indication of the quality of the power fluid suppliedthereto. For example, in hydraulic pumping systems of the type describedabove, production fluids having a relatively high water-oil ratio may beindicative of power oil having a high water content. It is thereforeadvisable to test periodically the wells being pumped and to record theresults of such tests.

In carrying out the invention, fluid is sequentially circulated for apredetermined period of time from each of a plurality of containers to atesting zone where it is tested for at least one characteristic thereofand from there to a treating zone. If, at the end of this period oftime, the characteristic tested for has not been detected in the fluidfrom the container under investigation, circulation therefrom isterminated and circulation from the next succeeding container isinitiated. If, on the other hand, the characteristic tested for isdetected at the testing zone, circulation to the testing and treatingzones is continued beyond the predetermined time and until such time3,287,960 Patented Nov. 29, 1966 as the characteristic is no longerdetected. Thereafter, circulation from the next succeeding container tothe testing and treating zones is initiated and carried out in the samemanner as described above.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, as applied in a fluidpumping system, a timing means is' provided for sequentially placingeach of a plurality of power-fluid tanks in fluid communication with atesting device and a treater for a predetermined period of time andthereafter terminating such communication. The testing device is adaptedto detect at least one characteristic of the fluid which is harmful tothe pumping system, that is, a characteristic which may cause physicaldamage to the system or which may be deleterious to the proper operationof the system. Upon detection by the testing device of a harmfulcharacteristic of the fluid, the timing means is stopped and thusrendered ineffective for terminating the fluid communication between thetank under investigation andthe treater and testing device. The fluid inthis tank is thus treated until the harmful characteristic is no longerdetected, at which time the timing means again becomes operative andproceeds to terminate the above-described fluid communication and placethe next succeeding tank in fluid communication with the treater andtesting device.

In a further aspect of the invention, a normally closed fluid conduitextends from a first conduit interconnecting a power unit with afluid-actuated pumping system to a second conduit interconnecting asecond power unit with another pumping system. A pressure-responsivedevice is provided in the first conduit such that when the pressuretherein exceeds a predetermined level, the device will open the normallyclosed conduit whereby fluid will flow from the first conduit to thesecond.

The invention will now be described in detail with reference to thedrawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of an embodiment of theinvention installed at an oil lease;

FIGURE 2 is an electrical schematic of one form of an automatic testingand treating system embodying the invention; and

FIGURE 3 is an electrical schematic of one form of an automaticrecording system embodying the invention.

Referring to FIGURE 1, there is shown an installation for delivering apower fluid such as oil to a plurality of fluid-actuated pumpingsystems. This includes a system for periodically and systematicallytesting, and if necessary treating, the power fluid in order to insurethat it has no characteristic which would \prove harmful to the pumpingsystems. The installation also includes means for detecting anabnormally high pressure at the output of a power unit and transferringat least a portion of the fluid therefrom to another pumping system.

More particularly, and as shown in FIGURE 1, oil flo-ws from a centraltreating station 8 by way of conduits 9 and 10 to a pair of power-oiltanks 12 and 14 which are interconnected with each other and with anadditional power-oil tank 13 by a line 19 and branch lines 19a-19c whichare provided with suitable valves (not shown). The central treatingstation receives oil from the respective wells of the lease and treatsit in a conventional manner to remove gas and BS & W (Basic Sediment andWater). Power oil is supplied from the top of tanks 12-14 to a pluralityof power units 61-63 through lines 51-53, respectively. These powerunits may be triplex pumps, each having an internal combustion engine asa prime mover. Power oil under pressure is supplied from the power unitsby way :of discharge lines 71-73 to a plurality of fluid-actuatedpumping systems. For example, power unit 61 is fluidly interconnectedwith three fluidactuated pumping systems by means of line 71 and amanifold 7101. Each of these pumping systems, of which only one isillustrated, includes a transmission string 91, a dow-nho-le pump 92,and a production string 93. Production from each of the wells flows fromthe production tubing into a gathering line such as that indicated byreference numeral 94 and from there through a three-way valve 95 to thecentral treating station.

The power-oil tanks 1214 are connected by line 19 and branch lines19a-19c to a delivery tank from which oil flows through a line 41 to anACT (Automatic Custody Transfer) unit 42 which in turn delivers it tothe pipeline. The ACT unit includes a pump 43, a BS & W monitor 44, anda three-way valve 45. In the event the BS & W monitor detects oil whichfails to meet pipeline specifications, valve 45 operates automaticallyto route the oil from the delivery tank through a line 46 to a heatertreater 47 which separates BS & W from the oil. The treated oil thenflows through line 47a to power-oil tank 12. The diversion of oil fromthe delivery tank to the treater 47 will continue so long as the oil hasan unacceptable BS & W content. When good oil is again detected by theBS & W monitor 44, valve 45 operates automatically to deliver the oilfrom the delivery tank to the pipeline. Thus, the ACT unit insures thatthe oil delivered to the pipeline meets a certain predeterminedstandard.

The installation also includes storage tanks 26, 27, and 28which areprovided to store oil in excess of the delivery tank capacity. Thesetanks are interconnected with each other and with the delivery tank bymeans of branch lines which include valves 29-32.

In accordance with the invention, a system is provided for testingperiodically and treating to the extent necessary the oil in thedelivery tank and in each of the power-oil tan-ks for an unacceptablyhigh BS & W content. With reference to FIGURE 1, this system includes apump 21a, a BS & W monitor 22 which detects the presence of BS & W and'gas in the oil stream, and a heater treater 40. The treater and BS & Wmonitor are fluidly interconnected to the discharge side of pump 21a bymeans of lines 23 and 24 and the outlet of the treater is fluidlyinterconnected to power-oil tank 13 by means of line 40a. Delivery tank25 and power-oil tanks 12-14 are connected to the suction side of pump21a by means of lines 15-18, respectively, each of which has a normallyclosed motor valve as designated by the reference numerals a-38a. Pump21a and valves 35a-38a are operated automatically as hereinafterdescribed.

The periodic scanning or testing and treating of the oil in each of thedelivery and power-oil tanks take place as follows. Preparatory toscanning the oil in the delivery tank, valves 29, 30, 32, and 33 areclosed and valves 31 and 34 are opened. Thereafter, valve 35a is openedand pump 21a is energized in order to circulate oil from the deliverytank through line 15, valve 35a, BS & W monitor 22, line 23, valve 34,and line 24 to heater treater for a predetermined scan period, e. g.,three minutes. If during this predetermined scan period the oil is foundto have an acceptable BS & W content, valve 35a is closed and pump 21ais stopped. However, if monitor 22 detects a BS & W content above apredetermined level, circulation through the monitor into the treater40- will continue beyond the scan period in order to treat the oil withrespect to its BS & W content. This circulation continues for a limitedperiod of time, e.rg., twenty-three minutes, or until the monitordetects good oil for a total cumulative time of three minutes, whicheveroccurs first. Thereafter, scanning of the delivery tank is terminated'by closing valve 35a and shutting down pump 21a.

Scanning of the oil in power-oil tank 12 then is initiated by openingvalve 36a and again starting pump 21a. With valve 36a open, oil iscirculated from power-oil tank 12 through line 16 to BS & W montior 22and from there through lines 23 and 24 to heater treater 40. Assumingthat the oil is found to be acceptable by the monitor, this circuliationwill continue for the three-minute scan period and then terminate.However, should the oil be found to have an unacceptably high BS & Wcontent, circulation will continue beyond the scan period and until suchtime as the oil passing through the monitor is found to have anacceptable BS & W content for a total cumulative time of three minutes.Thereafter, valve 36a is closed to terminate flow from the tank 12 tothe monitor 22 and treater 40, and valve 37a is opened to initiate flowfrom power-oil tank 13 to the monitor and treater. The power oil in tank13 and thereafter the power oil in tank 14 is then tested and treated tothe extent necessary in the same manner as the power oil from tank 12.

Monitor 22 may be of the capacitance-probe type which detects thepresence of a predetermined amount of water or gas in the oil by thechange in the dielectric constant of the fluid stream and acts to openthe appropriate one of a pair of contacts in the hereinafter-describedcircuitry. The monitor per se is conventional and may be obtained fromUnited Engineers, Tulsa, Oklahoma, as their Model No. TDMX with gascircuit modification.

The operation of the automatictesting and treating system will now bedescribed in greater detail with respect to FIGURE 2, which is anelectrical schematic thereof. As shown in FIGURE 2, this system includesa program timer 103 and a scan-start timer 104, both of which are shownin their reset positions. Program timer 103 includes a cam 203 whichoperates to close successively a plurality of contacts 14 and 103a, andtimer 104 comprises a cam 204 which operates to close a contact 104aupon the expiration of a predetermined time, e.g., ninety minutes. Inscanning the delivery and power-oil tanks, hand-operated switches112-115 are placed in the A (automatic) positions. Timers 103 and 104are then energized by closing a master switch 300 to a voltage source E,and cams 203 and 204 start to rotate in a counterclockwise direction.Upon such rotation, earn 203 first closes contact 1, thus initiatingtesting of bottom oil from the delivery tank 25.

The scanning of oil from the delivery tank takes place as follows. Whencam 203 closes contact 1, a testing circuit is completed through asolenoid 35, a relay 121, and an indicating light 131. This testingcircuit may be traced from the left side of the power line through anormally closed contact 111a, contact 1, switch 115, and normally closedcontacts 142s and 1430. Solenoid 35 opens motor valve 35a (FIGURE 1) andrelay 121 closes a contact 12111. This energizes a relay which closes acontact 135a, thus completing a pumping circuit and starting a motor 21which drives pump 21a. Relay 135 is energized through a circuit which istraced from the left of the circuit diagram through normally closedcontacts 143a and 142d, contact 1210, and a normally closed contact134a. With valves 29, 30, 32, and 33 (FIGURE 1) closed and valves 31 and34 open, the pump 21a will cir culate oil from the delivery tank to theBS & W monitor 22 and the heater treater 40 for the predetermined scanperiod of three minutes. If during this scan period the oil from thedelivery tank meets specifications, cam 203 will continue its rotationto open contact 1, thus opening the first testing circuit and allowingvalve 35a to close.

After the oil in the delivery tank is scanned, cam 203 closes contact 2to initiate scanning of oil from the bottom of power-oil tank 12. Whencontact 2 is closed, another testing circuit is completed through asolenoid 36, a relay 117, and an indicating light 127. Solenoid 36 willopen valve 36a (FIGURE 1) and relay 117 will close a contact 117a, thuscompleting a pumping circuit in the manner described above. During theperiod that contact 2 is closed, indicating light 127 will beilluminated to indicate that tank 12 is being scanned. If during thethreeminute scan period the oil in power tank 12 is found to meetspecifications, the timer will proceed to open contact 2 and closecontact 3 to initiate scanning of poweroil tank 13.

In an embodiment of the invention now in use, timer 103 is formed suchthat each of contacts 1-3 opens be;

fore the succeeding contact closes in order to prevent any two of valves35a-38a from being open at the same time. It will be recognized,however, that the timer may be such that each of contacts 1-3 opensimmediately after the next succeeding contact closes, thus preventingrepeated stopping and starting of pump 21a.

If the oil in tank 12 is found to be substandard because of a watercontent above a predetermined level, monitor 22 will act to open acontact 22a (FIGURE 2), thus deenergizing a relay 100. Relay 100 thenacts to open a contact 100a to stop the program timer 103.Simultaneously therewith, relay 100 closes a contact in a recordingcircuit, thus energizing an elapsed-time recorder 122 which indicatesthe total cumulative time that bad oil is circulated from tank 12.During the time the program timer is de-energized, oil is circulatedfrom tank 12 to treater 40. When the BS & W monitor again detects oil tospecifications, it acts to close contact 22a and relay 100 then isenergized to open and close contacts 1005 and 100a, respectively. Theprogram timer will thereupon start and proceed to close contact 3 inanother testing circuit and initiate scanning of power-oil tank 13 andthereafter tank 14 in the same manner as tank 12. The testingandrecording circuits for tanks 13 and 14 are the same as the testingand recording circuits for tank 12 and therefore will not be describedfurther.

In the above description it was assumed that the oil from the deliverytank met the desired specifications. However, if this oil is found to besubstandard by monitor 22, relay 100 will be tie-energized to opencontact 100a and to close contacts 100 and 100q. The program timer isstopped by the opening of contact 100a as described above and anelapsed-time recorder 126 similar to recorder 122 is energized throughcontact 100 Simultaneously therewith, a relay 133 is energized throughcontact 100q. Relay 133 acts to close a contact 1331:, thus completing acircuit through an interval timer 132 which limits the time during whichoil will be circulated to the BS & W monitor 22 and the treater 40,regardless of the water content thereof. The circuit through theinterval timer 132 may be traced from the left side of the power linethrough contacts 111a and 1, switch 115, and contacts 142e, 143a and133a. Relay 133 also is connected in series with contact 133a so that itwill not be de-energized by a subsequent opening of contact 100q. Due torelay 133 and its associated contact 133a, the interval timer isunaffected by a subsequent closing and opening of contact 22a as wouldoccur when slugs of good and bad oil intermittently pass through themonitor. Timer 132 is set for a predetermined time period, e.g., twentyminutes. At the end of this period, timer 132 will close a contact 132a,thus closing a circuit through the program timer 103 and allowing it totime out on the delivery tank if it has not already done so by reason ofcontact 100a being closed for a total cumulative time of three minutes.Thereupon, the program timer 103 will proceed to examine the oil intanks 12-14 in the above-described manner.

It will be noted that oil from the tank being scanned is circulated totreater 40 from the beginning of the respective scan period, rather thanonly upon the detection of an unacceptably high water content. Whilethis, of course, results in the treatment of some good oil, itadvantageously eliminates the need for the additional valves and lineswhich would be required to circulate oil to the treater only after itwas found to have an unacceptably high water content. While suchcontinuous circulation to the treater is highly advantageous, it is notessential. Therefore, in accordance with the broad concept of theinvention, the fluid being tested is circulated to the treater at leastduring the period of time in which the testing device detects thecharacteristic involved; while, in the preferred, more limited form ofthe invention, such circulation is effected prior to this detectionperiod as well.

Those skilled in the art also will recognize that testing devices suchas BS & W monitors of the type described above may include a time delaycircuit such that they respond to oil containing an unacceptable amountof water only after it continues beyond the time delay set into themonitor. Therefore, in describing and claiming the instant invention,the monitor 22 is considered to detect water only when it respondsexternally thereto as, for example, by opening contact 22a.

Upon timing out on power-oil tank 14, the program timer will opencontact 4 and close contact 103a in a reset-relay circuit which includesa relay 105 which operates only on a pulsating current, a rectifier 107,a pair of resistors 106 and 110, a pair of capacitors 108 and 109, andalso the contact 104a of the scan-start timer. When contacts 103a and104a are closed by their respective timers, a pulsating unidirectionalcurrent is provided through rectifier 107, causing the relay 105 to pickup and close a contact 105a and also a contact 105b which is connectedin parallel with contacts 103a and 104a. When contact 105a is closed,reset clutches 101 and 102 are energized to reset timers 103 and 104,respectively, to their starting positions. As the timers are reset, thecapacitors 108 and 109 will first charge and then begin to discharge,thus providing a relatively smooth undirectional current through relay105 which will cause it to go off and open contacts 105a and 1051).After the timers are reset, scanning of the delivery and power-oil tankswill be repeated.

The testing and treating system also includes means for transferring oilfrom one or more of storage tanks 26, 27, and 28 to the delivery tank25. In order to transfer oil from any one of the storage tanks to thedelivery tank, valves 31 and 34 (FIGURE 1) are closed and valve 33 andthe appropriate one of valves 39, 30, 32 are opened. Thereafter, ahand-operated switch 116 (FIG- URE 2) is moved to the D (delivery tank)position in order to close a circuit through a relay 142. Relay 142 actsto close contacts 142a, 142b, and 142a and to open contacts 142s and142d. Contact 1420 prevents the delivery-tank testing circuit from beingenergized through switch should it be in the H (hand) position andcontact 142d further insures that relay will not be energized throughthe bank of contacts 117a, 121a, etc. The closing of contacts 142a and142b completes a circuit through a relay 111 which operates to opencontacts lllb and 111a in order to stop timers 104 and 103 and todeenergize any one of motor valves 36a38a then in operation.Simultaneously therewith, solenoid 35 is energized through contacts 142aand 143s and opens valve 3511 while relay 135 acts to close contact135a, thus energizing the pump motor 21 to transfer oil from theappropriate storage tank to the delivery tank. The circuit through relay135 may be traced from the left side of the circuit diagram throughcontacts 143d, 142e, 10%, and 13401. Assuming that the oil beingtransferred is to specifications, such transfer will continue until therespective storage tank approaches the empty condition. As this occurs,pump 21a will start to pump gas. This gas will be detected by the BS & Wmonitor 22 which will then act to open a contact 22b, thus de-energizinga relay 134. This relay will act to open contact 134a which opens thecircuit to relay 135, thus de-energizing the pump motor and preventinggas-lock of the pump. If, on the other hand, monitor 22 detects a BS & Wcontent above a predetermined level, it will act to open contact 22a,thus deenergizing relay 100. Relay 100 will then act in theabovedescribed manner to open the contact 100k, thus de-energizing relay135 and stopping the pump.

If oil in one or more of the storage tanks is found to be substandard,the operator may desire to circulate the oil from. these tanks throughthe treater 40. In order to accomplish this, valves 31 and 33 (FIGURE 1)are closed and valve 34 and the appropriate one of valves 29, 30, and 32are opened. Thereafter, switch 116 is moved to the T (treater) positionin order to close a circuit through 7 a relay 143 which acts to closecontacts 143a, 1431), and 143s and to open contacts 143a and 143d. Relay111 is energized through a circuit which includes contacts 143a and 143band opens contacts 111a and 111b as described above. The closing ofcontact 143e completes a circuit through relay 135 which energizes thepump motor, and, simultaneously therewith, solenoid 35 acts to openvalve 35a, thus allowing oil to be pumped from the storage tank to thetreater. In this operation, transfer of oil to the treater will continueregardless of the detection by monitor 22 of an undesirably high watercontent, and the only condition effective to shut down the system willbe the detection by monitor 22 of gas in the oil. As in all of theabove-described operations, the persence of a predetermined amount ofgas in the oil will cause the monitor 22 to open contact 22b, thusstopping the pump 21a.

In one embodiment of the system illustrated in FIG- URE 2, the followingcomponents were found to be satisfactory:

The program timer 103 and reset clutch 101 were obtained from EagleSignal Company, Moline, Illinois, as a single unit, identified asPoly-Flex HO Series.

The scan-start timer 104 and reset clutch 102 were obtained from EagleSignal Company, as a single unit, identified as Cycl-Flex HP Series.

The interval timer 132 was obtained from Eagle Signal Company, andidentified as Timo-Flex HO Series.

In the reset-relay circuit of FIGURE 2, resistors 106 and 110 were 50-and 100,000-ohm resistors, respectively; and capacitors 108 and 109 were20- and 4-microfarad capacitors, respectively. Relay 105 was anA.C.-type relay obtained from Potter & Brumfield, Division of AmericanMachine and Foundry Company, Princeton, Indiana, and identified as ModelNo. KRP HAG-115V AC Relay.

The above-described system is highly advantageous in that it insuresthat only power oil having an acceptable BS & W content is supplied tothe power units. This greatly decreases the possibility of failure of adownhole pumping system.

Should such failure occur, however, and result in an abnormally highpressure at the discharge side of a power unit, a further aspect of thepresent invention provides a method and apparatus for conserving theenergy added to the power oil by the power unit. This is accomplished byoperating the several power units at different maximum dischargepressures. If the discharge pressure at a power unit exceeds themaximum, at least a portion of the oil from this unit is diverted toanother lower-pressure pumping system. The power unit which normallysupplies oil to this system is then cut back to reduce the outputtherefrom by an amount essentially equal to the amount of power oildiverted from the first power unit.

More particularly, and as illustrated in FIGURE 1, power units 61, 62,and 63 are operated at progressively decreasing maximum pressures, e.g.,3400 p.s.i., 2800 p.s.i., and 2100 p.s.i., respectively; and dischargelines 71 and 72 of units 61 and 62 are fluidly connected to bypassregulators 65 .and 66, respectively, by way of lines 65a and 66a. Eachof regulators 65 and 66 is set such that it will begin to bypass poweroil to discharge line 73 by way of a line 67 when the pressure upstreamof the regulator reaches, or just exceeds, the maximum dischargepressure of its respective power unit. The bypass regulators per se areconventional and suitable regulators are available from Kobe, Inc.,Huntington Park, California, identified as their Model No. 4-31066.

Lines 71, 72, and 73 are provided with constant-flow controllers 81, 82,and 83 which will maintain constant flow rates through the respectivelines regardless of the pressure fluctuations therein. Like the bypassregulators, the constant-flow controllers are conventional. A suitablecontroller may be obtained from Kobe, Inc., as their Model No. #32932.

Line 73 is also provided with an engine-throttle modulation control 85which regulates the output of power unit 63 in response to the pressurein line 73. Control 85 may comprise any suitable system which acts todecrease the output of unit 63 in response to a pressure increase inline 73 above the set point, e.g., 2100 p.s.i., and vice versa. However,a preferred engine-throttle modulation control comprises a pressurecontroller and a diaphragm motor, both of which are available fromMason-Neilan, Division of Worthington Corporation, Nor-wood,Massachusetts, and identified as their Model Nos. 2707 and 6607,respectively. The diaphragm motor and pressure controller are arrangedsuch that a pressure increase in line 73 will increase the controlpressure on the diaphragm motor and extend the diaphragm-motor actuatorrod. The actuator rod will then act through a mechanical linkage,indicated by broken line 85a, to the throttle of the prime mover toreduce the engine r.p.m. and thus the output of the power unit.

The operation of the above-described system is as follows. Should adownhole pump such as pump 92 stop stroking, it will stop taking fluidcausing the pressure upstream in the discharge line to increase. In thecase of pump 92, regulator 65 will begin to bypass oil to line 73 whenthe pressure in line 71 exceeds 3400 p.s.i. Since controller 83 will letonly a constant amount of oil per unit time pass therethrough, thepressure in line 73 will start to increase due to the additional oildiverted to the line from power unit 61. This pressure increase will besensed by the engine-throttle modulation control 85 which acts throughlinkage 85a to the throttle of the prime mover of power unit 63 toreduce the output therefrom by an amount equal to the amount of poweroil supplied to line 73 from unit 61.

In a further aspect of the invention, a system is provided forseparately testing each of the wells with respect to the amounts ofwater and oil produced and for recording the results of such testing asa function of time on a single, easily read chart. The water-oil ratioof a given well is an important indication of the quality of the welland the effectiveness with which it is being produced. For example, anincrease in the water-oil ratio may be due to an increased watervinfluxinto the wellbore or it may be caused by the use of power oil having ahigh water content. The latter would, of course, be indicative of amalfunction in the above-described testing and treating system. Thus,the testing and recording system described below provides a means forchecking the proper operation of the testing and treating system, aswell as a means for testing a particular well and providing clean oil tothe power-oil tanks.

In order to place a particular well on test, the production from thatwell is diverted through a productionrouting means such as three-wayvalve 95 (FIGURE 1) to a test heater treater 96 which separates waterand gas from the oil. The oil eflluent from the treater flows through ameter 97 and a line 97a to power-oil tank 12 while the water eflluentflows through a meter 98 and a line 98a to a suitable water disposalzone. The oil and water meters are each equipped with a transducer whichsends out an electric impulse for each unit volume, e.g., one barrel, offluid measured. Suitable meters are of the positive-displacement typeavailable from Flow Equipment Company, Santa Fe Springs, California, andidentified as their Model No. FSWA with impulse transmitter.

The amounts of oil and water measured by meters 97 and 98 are recordedby means of a single recording element on a record receiver, in eitherbarrels 0r multiples of ten barrels. When the system is adjusted torecord every barrel, a recording is made at a specific distance to theleft of the base line of the record receiver for each barrel of oilmeasured by meter 97 and a specific distance to the right of the baseline for each barrel of water measured by meter 98. When the recordingsystem is adjusted to record in ten-barrel units, a recording is made atan increased distance to the left of the base line for every ten barrelsof oil and similarly a recording is made at an increased distance to theright of the base line for every ten barrels of water.

More particularly, and with reference to FIGURE 3, this system includesa recorder 308 having a single recording element and means forpositioning the recording element relative to the record receiver inresponse to the voltage across the recorder. At an intermediate voltage,the recordingelement will be at a reference position, for example, atthe center line of the receiver. It will move to the left of the centerline at a relatively low voltage and to the right of the center line ata relatively high voltage. The voltage supply to the recorder is variedby connecting it in parallel with one or more of a plurality ofresistors 331-336 as appropriate. Prefereably, the resistances ofresistors 331336 are equal so that the voltage across each of theseresistors is the same. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, recorder308 is of the graphic type and includes a recording stylus 303a which isadapted to make visual marks on a record chart 308b. The record chart ismoved relative to the stylus by a motor 3080 which is connected in aseparate circuit so to be unaffected by the voltage fluctuations. Forexample, the chart may be mounted on a drum (not shown) which in turn isrotated by the motor. A suitable graphic recorder is available fromRustrak Instrument Company, Manchester, New Hampshire, and identifiedas. their Model No. 92.

The system will first be described with reference to its' operation inrecording each barrel of oil and water measured by the meters. To recordin units of one barrel, a hand-operated oil switch 301 and ahand-operated water switch 302 are placed in their respective 1positions, as shown in FIGURE 3. A pair of switches 303 and 304 aremechanically coupled to switches 301 and 302, respectively, such thatthey are moved concomitantly with switches 301 and 302 to theirrespective 1 positions as shown. Upon the closing of master switch 305to a voltage source -E, relays 306 and 307 are energized, thus closingcontacts 306a and 307a and opening contacts 30Gb and 307b. The recorder308 is then connected in parallel with resistors 331, 332, 333 throughnormally closed contacts 3119b and 3113b and the recording stylus ispositioned at the center of the chart.

When a barrel of oil is measured by oil meter 97, it sends out animpulse and momentarily energizes a relay 315 which acts to close acontact 315a and to open a contact 315b. During this time a capacitor320 is charged by a unidirectional current through a rectifier 317. Whenthe impulse from the oil meter terminates, relay 315 is de-energized andcontacts 315a and 31515 are opened and closed, respectively. Withcontact 315b closed, the capacitor 320 discharges through a relay 309,thus energizing it and causing it to close contacts 30% and 3090 and toopen contact 30%. Recorder 30% then is connected in parallel withresistors 331 and 332 in a voltage-divider circuit which includescontacts 309a, 306a, and switch 303 in the 1 position. The recordingstylus will thus move to a recording position at the left of the centerline and make a Visual mark representative of a barrel of oil. Theclosing of contact 3090 completes a circuit through ahereinaftendescribed stepping switch coil 319 and a totalizing counter340 which records one barrel each time it is energized. Counter 340 thusshows the total cumulative amount of oil measured by meter 97.

When a barrel of water is measured by meter 98, it sends out an impulseand momentarily energizes a relay 311. This relay acts to open a contact311b and to close a contact 311a, thus allowing a capacitor 312 to becharged by a unidirectional current through a rectifier 318. When thepulse terminates, relay 311 is de-energized and contacts 311a and 311bare opened and closed, respectively. The capacitor 312 then dischargesthrough a normally closed contact 313a and contact 311b and energizes arelay 314. Relay 314 then acts to close a contact 314a which completes acircuit through a relay 310 and a totalizing counter 341 similar tocounter 340. Relay 310 closes a contact 310a and opens a contact 310b,thus connecting recorder 308 in parallel with resistors 331, 332, 333and 334 in a second voltage-divider circuit which includes contacts309b, 310a, 307a, and switch 304 in the 1 position. The recording stylusthen moves to the right of the center line and makes a mark indicating asingle barrel of water.

Should simultaneous, or nearly simultaneous, pulses be received frommeters 97 and 98, the invention provides a novel means for storing thewater signal until after the oil signal has been recorded. This operatesas follows. When relay 309 is energized and closes contact 3090, acircuit is completed through a relay 313 which then acts to open acontact 313a in the water-relay circuit. Thus, should a signal bereceived from the water meter while relay 309 is energized, capacitor312 will be charged in the normal manner, but will not be allowed todischarge until such time as relay 313 is de-energized to close contact313a. Thereafter, capacitor 312 will discharge through contact 313a,contact 311b, and relay 314. This, of course, will not take place untilafter the oil signal is recorded.

As stated above, the recording system may be adjusted to record the oiland water output of treater 96 in tenbarrel units. This is accomplishedby moving switches 301 and 302 to their respective 10 positions.Switches 303 and 304 will move concomitantly therewith to theirrespective 10 positions. With switch 301 open to the 10 position, relay306 can be energized only through an active contact 31% of a steppingswitch 31911 which also has nine blank contacts. Similarly, relay 307can be energized only through the active contact 320b of a tencontactstepping switch 320a.

When an impluse is received from oil meter 97, relay 315 and thereafterrelay 309 are energized as explained above. However, in this case, relay306 remains deenergized so long as switch 319a is on a blank contact andthe recorder 308 is thus connected in parallel with resistors 331, 332,and 333 and the recording stylus remains at the center of the chart. Thecircuit in which recorder 308 is connected in parallel with the aboveresistors may be traced from the left side of the circuit throughcontact 306b and parallel contacts 307b and 3110b. Contact 309c closesthe circuit through the stepping-switch coil 319 which then advancesstepping switch 31% by one contact. Similarly, when a pulse is receivedfrom the water meter 98, relay 314 closes cont-act 314a and completes acircuit through a stepping-switch coil 320 which advances steppingswitch 320a by one contact. Again, recorder 308 will be connected inparallel with resistors 331, 332, and 333 so long as switch 320a is on ablank contact.

The above sequence of operations is repeated until one of switches 319aand 320a is advanced to its respective active contact, at which timerelay 306 or relay 307 is energized and the recorder 308a is connectedin the appropriate voltage-divider circuit. For example, when steppingswitch 319a closes contact 319b, relay 306 acts to close contact 306aand open contact 306b. Thereafter, relay 309 closes contact 309a, andrecorder 308 is connected in parallel with resistor 331 in avoltage-divider circuit which includes contacts 309a, 306a, and switch303 in the 10 \position. When this occurs, the recording stylus moves tothe left and makes a mark on the chart which indicates ten barrels ofoil. This mark is made at twice the distance to the left of the centerline as those mark-s indicating .a sing-1e barrel of oil.

The output from the water meter is recorded in tenbarrel units similarlyas that from the oil meter. When switch 320a closes contact 320b, acircuit is completed through relay 307. Relay 307 then acts to close andopen contacts 307a and 307b, respectively. When contacts 310a and 310bare later closed and opened, respectively, recorder 308 is connected inparallel with resistors 331, 332, 3 33, 334, and 335 through contacts30%, 310a, 307a, and switch 304, and the recording element is moved tothe right of the position it occupies when recording in units of onebarrel. As in the case when the recording system is adjusted to recordin one-barrel units, the signal from the water meter will be storedtemporarily should it arrive simultaneously with the signal from the oilmeter. Also, it will be recognized that the oil can be recorded inten-barrel units while the water is recorded in onebarrel units or, viceversa, by proper manipulation of switches 301 and 302.

Having described specific embodiments of the invention, it is understoodthat further modifications may be suggested to those skilled in the art,and it is intended to cover all such modifications as fall within thescope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A method of testing and treating fluid in a plurality of containers,comprising the steps of sequentially flowing fluid from each of saidcontainers to a testing zone for at least a predetermined time period,flowing said fluid from said testing zone to a treating zone during saidpredetermined time period, continuing to flow fluid from said each ofsaid containers to said testing and treating zone-s beyond saidpredetermined time period upon the detection of at least onecharacteristic of said fluid at said testing zone, and terminating fluidflow from said each of said containers to said testing and treatingzones when said at least one characteristic is no longer detected atsaid testing zone.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of recording thetime during which said at least one characteristic is detected.

3. In an automatic testing and treating system, a plurality of tanksadapted to contain fluid, means for testing said fluid for at least onecharacteristic, means for treating said fluid with respect to said atleast one characteristic, timing means for sequentially placing each ofsaid tanks in fluid communication with said testing means and saidtreating means for a period of time and thereafter terminating saidfluid communication, and means responsive to the detection by saidtesting means of said at least one characteristic for rendering saidtiming means ineifective for terminating said fluid communication duringthe time that said characteristic is detected.

4. In an automatic testing and treating system, a plurality of tanksadapted to contain a fluid, means for testing said fluid for at leastone characteristic, means for treating said fluid with respect to saidat least one characteristic, a normally open electric testing circuitfor each of said tanks, means in each of said testing circuits forplacing its respective tank in fluid communication with said testingmeans and said treating means when said each of said testing circuits isclosed, timing means for sequentially closing each of said testingcircuits for a period of time and thereafter opening said each of saidtesting circuits, and means responsive to the detection by said testingmeans of said at least one characteristic for rendering said timingmeans ineffective for opening said each of said testing circuits.

'5. In an automatic testing and treating system, a plurality of tanksadapted to contain a fluid, means for testing said fluid for at leastone characteristic, means for treating said fluid with respect to saidat least one characteristic, a normally open electric testing circuitfor each of said tanks and a normally open electric recording circuitassociated with each of said testing circuits, recording means in eachof said recording circuits, means in each of said testing circuits forplacing its respective tank in fluid communication with said testingmeans and said treating means when said each of said testing circuits isclosed, timing means for sequentially closing each of said testingcircuits for a period of time and thereafter opening said each of saidtesting circuits, means responsive to the detect-ion by said testingmeans of said at least one characteristic for rendering said timingmeans ineffective for opening said each of said testing circuits,and'means responsive to the detection by said testing means of said atleast one characteristic for closing the recording circuit associatedwith said each of said testing circuits whereby the recording meanstherein is energized.

'6. In an automatic testing and treating system, a plurality of tanksadapted to contain a fluid, means for testing said fluid 'for at leastone characteristic, means for treating said fluid with respect to saidat least one characteristic, fluid conduit means interconnecting each ofsaid tanks with said testing means and said treating means and havingnormally closed valve means therein for successively placing each ofsaid tanks in fluid communication with said testing means and saidtreating means, means for pumping fluid in said fluid conduit means, anormally open electric testing circuit for each of said tanks, means ineach of said circuits for opening said valve means with respect to oneof said tanks whereby said one of said tanks is separately placed influid communication with said testing means and said treating means whensaid-each of said circuits is closed, means in each of said circuits foractivating said pumping means when said each of said circuits is closed,timing means for sequentially closing each of said testing circuits fora period of time and thereafter opening said each of said testingcircuits, and means responsive to the detection by said testing means ofsaid at least one characteristic for rendering said timing meansineffective for opening said each of said circuits.

7. In a system for delivering and testing power fluid, a plurality ofpower-fluid tanks, a plurality of power units in fluid communicationwith said power-fluid tanks, each of said power units having a firstconduit in fluid communication with the outlet thereof and adapted to befluidly interconnected with at least one fluid-actuated pumping system,means for separately testing the power fluid in each of said tanks forat least one characteristic thereof harmful to said pumping systems,means for treating said fluid with respect to said at least onecharacteristic, means for placing said treating means in fluidcommunication with the tank in which fluid is being tested during atleast the period of time in which said testing means detects said atleast one characteristic, a normally closed fluid conduit extending fromone of said first conduits to another of said first conduits, and meansresponsive to the pressure in said one of said first conduits reaching apredetermined level for opening said normally closed conduit to fluidflow.

8. In a system for delivering power fluid to a plurality offluid-actuated downhole well pumping systems, a plurality of powerunits, each of said power units having a first fluid conduit in fluidcommunication with the outlet thereof and fluidly interconnected with atleast one of said pumping systems and a second fluid conduit extendingfrom the intake thereof and fluidly interconnected with a source ofpower fluid, a normally closed fluid conduit extending from one of saidfirst conduits to another of said first conduits, and means responsiveto the pressure in said one of said first conduits reaching apredetermined level for opening said normally closed conduit to fluidflow.

9. In a system for delivering power fluid to a plurality offluid-actuated downhole well pumping systems, a first power unit, afirst fluid conduit in fluid communication with the outlet of said powerunit and fluidly interconnected with at least one of said pumpingsystems, a second power unit, a second fluid conduit in fluidcommunication with the outlet of said second power unit and fluidlyinterconnected with at least another of said pumping systems, meansresponsive to the pressure in said first conduit exceeding apredetermined level for transferring at least a portion of the fluidflowing in said first conduit to said second conduit, means in fluidcommunication with said second conduit for maintaining an essentiallyc011- stant flow rate therethrough, and means responsive to an increasein pressure in said second conduit for de creasing the fluid output fromsaid second power unit.

10. In a fluid pumping system, a plurality of powerfluid tanks, aplurality of fluid-actuated pumping systems, means for transferringpower fluid under pressure from said tanks to said fluid-actuatedpumping systems, treating means for separating an impurity from thefluid discharged from at least one of said fluid-actuated pumpingsystems, means for transferring fluid from said treating means to one ofsaid power-fluid tanks, means for sequentially testing the power fluidin each of said tanks for said impurity, second treating means forseparating said impurity from said power fluid, and means for placingthe tank in which fluid is being tested in fluid communication with saidsecond treating means during at least the period of time in which saidtesting means detects a predetermined amount of said impurity in thepower fluid.

11. The fluid pumping system of claim further comprising means formeasuring and'recording the amount of fluid transferred from said firstnamed treating means to said one of said power-fluid tanks and theamount of impurity separated from said fluid.

12. In a system for producing and managing fluids from a plurality ofoil wells each equipped with a hydraulically actuated pumping systemincluding a downhole pump, a plurality of tanks adapted to contain poweroil for use in actuating said pumping systems, means for testing thepower oil in said tanks for an impurity harmful to said pumping systemsand separating said impurity from said power oil, a plurality of powerunits for delivering power oil under pressure from said tanks to saidpumping systems, each of said power units having means fluidlyinterconnecting the outlet thereof with at least one of said pumpingsystems and the intake thereof with at least one of said tanks, meansresponsive to the pressure at the outlet of one of said power unitsreaching a predetermined level for transferring at least a portion ofthe power oil comprising the output of said one of said power units tothe output of another of said power units, treating means for separatingsaid impurity from the oil discharged from at least one of said pumpingsystems, and means for measuring and recording the amount of oil treatedby said treating means and the amount of impurity separated from saidoil.

13. In a system for producing and managing fluids from a plurality ofoil wells each equipped with a hydraulically actuated pumping systemincluding a downhole pump, a plurality of tanks adapted to contain poweroil for use in actuating said pumping systems, means for sequentiallytesting the power oil in each of said tanks for an impurity harmful tosaid pumping systems, first treating means for separating said impurityfrom said power oil, means for placing the tank in which oil is beingtested in fluid communication with said first treating means during atleast the period of time in which said testing means detects apredetermined amount of said impurity in the power oil, a plurality ofpower units for delivering power oil under pressure from said tanks tosaid pumping systems, each of said power units having a first fluidconduit extending from the outlet thereof and in fluid communicationwith at least one of said pumping systems and a second fluid conduitextending from the intake thereof and in fluid communication with atleast one of said tanks, a normally closed fluid conduit extending fromone of said first conduits to another of said first conduits, meansresponsive to the pressure in said one of said first conduits reaching apredetermined level for opening said normally closed conduit to fluidflow, second treating means for separating said impurity from the oildischarged from at least one of said pumping systems, means fortransferring said oil from said second treating means to one of saidpower-oil tanks, and means for measuring and recording the amount of oiltransferred from said second treating means to said one of saidpower-oil tanks and the amount of impurity separated from said oil.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,171,327 8/1939Anderson 346-62 2,987,366 6/1961 Meyers 346- 3,002,521 10/1961 Greenleeset al 137115 3,096,641 7/1963 Hubby 73-53 3,113,582 12/1963 Hudson137115 3,146,786 9/1964 Ishikawa 10342 XR 3,167,949 2/1965 Stenzel et'al 73-53 OTHER REFERENCES Meyers, Oil and Gas Journal, Oct. 17, 1955,pp. 111- 117.

DAVID SCHONBERG, Primary Examiner.

1. A METHOD OF TESTING AND TREATING FLUID IN A PLURALITY OF CONTAINERS,COMPRISING THE STEPS OF SEQUENTIALLY FLOWING FLUID FROM EACH OF SAIDCONTAINERS TO A TESTING ZONE FOR AT LEAST A PREDETERMINED TIME PERIOD,FLOWING SAID FLUID FROM SAID TESTING ZONE TO A TREATING ZONE DURING SAIDPREDETERMINED TIME PERIOD, CONTINUING TO FLOW FLUID FROM SAID EACH OFSAID CONTAINERS TO SAID TESTING AND TREATING ZONES BEYOND SAIDPREDETERMINED TIME PERIOD UPON THE DETECTION OF AT LEAST ONECHARACTERISTIC OF SAID FLUID AT SAID TESTING ZONE, AND TERMINATING FLUIDFLOW FROM SAID EACH OF SAID CONTAINERS TO SAID TESTING AND TREAT-